CSX, short line to help fund overpass in Indiana

The Class I will help fund the overpass in downtown Columbus.Photo – CSX

On Wednesday, Cummins Inc. executives, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, and other state and local leaders announced plans for a $30 million railroad overpass on State Road 46 in downtown Columbus, Indiana.

The overpass is necessary as CSX continues to advance about $100 million worth of upgrades to a line shared with the Louisville & Indiana Railroad between Louisville and Indianapolis, Cummins officials said in a press release. When the work is completed in mid- to late 2018, CSX expects to begin increasing the number, weight and length of trains on the line.

Additional train traffic is expected to produce significant delays for those using local routes in downtown Columbus, including a majority of Cummins' 8,000 employees, company officials said. The overpass will serve as a primary entrance and exit for motorists and trucks heading into and out of downtown Columbus.

The project will be funded by several parties, including the Indiana Department of Transportation, city of Columbus, Bartholomew County, CSX and the Louisville & Indiana Railroad.

"As a supplier of engines in rail applications, [we] recognize the vital role trains play in hauling critical goods, and it was important to ensure the solution was workable for all parties involved," Cummins officials said, adding that a rail solution was critical to the company's and city's future.

Cummins also announced plans to spend about $50 million to renovate its corporate office building in downtown Columbus.